Business Details
20 Years
experience
Your Trusted Massage Therapy School in the Pacific Northwest
Northwest Academy for the Healing Arts was founded in 2006 with a mission to elevate the massage therapy profession through science-based education and personalized instruction. Our commitment to small class sizes ensures each student receives individualized attention, fostering a supportive environment where aspiring massage therapists develop clinical expertise and holistic care practices. With campuses in Seattle, Tacoma, and Bellingham, we combine flexible scheduling optionsincluding hybrid and evening programsto accommodate diverse lifestyles while maintaining rigorous academic standards.Our faculty comprises licensed professionals from multidisciplinary healthcare backgrounds, ensuring students gain comprehensive knowledge in anatomy, injury assessment, and therapeutic techniques. Graduates benefit from career placement assistance, including opportunities in our on-site clinics, and we provide ongoing continuing education to support professional growth. Recognizing the healing power of touch, we emphasize community outreach and ethical practice, preparing students to make meaningful contributions to the wellness of individuals and communities.
Services
Massage Therapy Program
Hybrid Massage Program
Continuing Education Courses
Massage Instructor Certification
Cadaver Anatomy Courses
Massage Therapy Clinic
Online Massage Licensing Program
Clinical Internship Training
Business Practice Management
Anatomy & Kinesiology Courses
Details
- Year established: 2006
Highlights and features
- We offer some of the smallest class sizes in the Pacific Northwest for personalized attention.
- Our faculty includes Licensed Massage Therapists, Chiropractors, and Physical Therapists.
- We provide flexible morning, evening, and weekend class schedules.
- Our curriculum integrates evidence-based education models and clinical injury assessment.
- We offer career placement assistance and free continuing education for graduates.
What people say
Small class sizes
Supportive instructors
Hands-on learning
Career placement help
Flexible schedules
Services
Massage Therapy Program
Our 644- to 661-hour massage therapy program combines online learning with hands-on clinical training. Students master Swedish and deep tissue techniques, injury rehabilitation, and client communication. Graduates qualify for Washington State licensing exams and receive career placement support, including externships in our professional clinics.
Hybrid Massage Program
This flexible program delivers half of the coursework online with live-streamed classes and pre-recorded lectures. In-person sessions teach practical skills like draping, deep tissue massage, and clinical assessment. Designed for working professionals, it accommodates schedules while maintaining rigorous clinical standards.
Cadaver Anatomy Courses
Our 4-hour cadaver dissection labs explore musculoskeletal systems in the upper extremity, lower extremity, torso, and head/neck. Participants gain hands-on experience with non-chemically preserved specimens, enhancing palpation skills and anatomical understanding for therapeutic applications in massage practice.
Continuing Education Courses
We offer state-approved continuing education for licensed massage therapists, including courses on intraoral massage, MVA treatment, and self-care strategies. These programs maintain professional competency and fulfill license renewal requirements while addressing specialized client needs.
Massage Therapy Clinic
Our student-run clinics provide affordable wellness and therapeutic massages to the community. Services include deep tissue work, posture consultations, and myofascial release, supervised by experienced faculty. Clinics operate six days weekly across all three campuses.
People
Sean Miller
Campus Director
Sean specializes in manual therapies and flower essence homeopathy, focusing on pain management and rehabilitation. He integrates holistic healing principles into his teaching, creating an energetic and supportive learning environment for students pursuing massage therapy careers.
Mary Wiener
Physical Therapist
Mary brings expertise in ALS care and community education to her role as a physical therapist and instructor. Her presentations on neuromuscular conditions enrich the curriculum, bridging clinical knowledge with practical applications for massage therapy students.
Patrick McVeigh
Chiropractor
Dr. McVeigh graduated from Life University and co-founded Spinal Missions, a nonprofit chiropractic outreach group. His international experience in El Salvador informs his approach to musculoskeletal health and community-based care practices.
Marian DiPerna
Licensed Massage Therapist
Marian teaches intraoral massage techniques and clinical injury assessment. With a private practice in West Seattle, she specializes in therapeutic treatments for TMJ dysfunction, stress relief, and pregnancy-related conditions, emphasizing client-centered care.
Deborah Henrichs
Anatomy Instructor
Deborah holds a Master's in human movement and performance from Western Washington University. She teaches functional anatomy with an emphasis on neuromusculoskeletal systems, combining academic rigor with accessible, student-focused instruction methods.
Questions
What massage therapy programs do you offer?
We offer a 644- to 661-hour Washington State-licensed massage therapy program with hybrid, evening, and weekend options. Continuing education courses and instructor certification programs are also available.
Are there flexible class schedules?
Yes, we provide morning, evening, and weekend classes. Our hybrid program combines online learning with in-person skills training for working professionals.
What makes your school unique?
We maintain the smallest class sizes in the Pacific Northwest, with 8 students per cohort. Our faculty includes multidisciplinary healthcare professionals and we offer cadaver anatomy labs for advanced anatomical study.
Do you offer career placement assistance?
Yes, graduates receive resume review, interview preparation, and weekly job opportunity emails. Our on-site clinics provide externship opportunities and immediate employment possibilities.
Are there continuing education options?
We provide state-approved continuing education courses for licensed massage therapists, including cadaver labs, intraoral techniques, and specialized treatment protocols for conditions like scoliosis and MVA injuries.
Do you have massage clinics open to the public?
Yes, all three campuses operate student-run clinics offering wellness and therapeutic massages six days weekly. Sessions are supervised by licensed professionals and available at reduced rates.
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